Ianis Hagi grabbed a double as Rangers rounded off a profitable week with a 4-0 rout of Ross County at Ibrox.
Philippe Clement’s facet certified straight into the final 16 of the Europa League on Thursday evening with a 2-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise in Govan and confidence overflowed into the Scottish Premiership.
Two strikes from midfielder Hagi – not within the European squad – and a poacher’s aim from centre-back John Souttar earlier than the interval had the factors secure early.
Skipper James Tavernier transformed Rangers’ first league penalty of the season within the 76th minute however regardless of the convincing win, there have been no inroads made within the title race.
The Mild Blues are nonetheless 10 factors behind leaders Celtic, who beat Motherwell 3-1 at Fir Park and whose sport in hand in opposition to Dundee will happen subsequent Wednesday.
Don Cowie’s males, who stay 5 factors forward of backside facet St Johnstone and within the relegation play-off spot, have conceded 13 objectives to the Mild Blues in three conferences this season and once more have been no match for an energised Gers facet, with the Highland membership nonetheless in search of their first win at Ibrox.
As common after European video games, Clement had extra choices. Defender Clinton Nsiala, one other participant not within the European squad, returned as did Souttar, who got here off the bench in opposition to USG after a spell out injured.
Rangers’ solely winter signing to this point, on-loan Lille defender Rafael Fernandes, was on the bench.
As anticipated the house facet took management of the ball from the beginning and the guests held out solely till the 18th minute.
Nsiala’s raking cross from the again discovered Vaclav Cerny vast on the best and he turned inside on to his left foot and fired in a drive from the sting of the field which was spilled by keeper Jordan Amissah proper to Hagi, who neatly tucked the ball away.
Hagi’s second got here within the twenty sixth minute got here when he curled a free-kick from 25 yards earlier than it took a marked deflection off Staggies defender Jonathan Tomkinson to go away keeper Amissah wrong-footed.
On the different finish minutes later, Akil Wright’s header from a nook compelled a great save on his aim line from Gers keeper Jack Butland. Nevertheless, Rangers have been quickly again in management.
Rangers’ John Souttar scores to make it 3-0 in opposition to Ross County
Hagi turned supplier 10 minutes earlier than the interval when his nook was headed on by Nicolas Raskin to the again submit the place Souttar lashed the ball excessive into the online from two yards out for his first aim of the season.
Rangers – with 18-year-old midfielder Bailey Rice on for Mohamed Diomande – started the second half searching for extra objectives and Rice’s shot from 16 yards from a Hagi cut-back drew a effective save from Amissah.
County had introduced on right-back James Brown and midfielder Scott Allardice for Nohan Kenneh and Josh Nisbet however they confirmed no indicators of getting any type of foothold within the sport.
Souttar had the ball within the internet from shut vary once more within the 51st minute however the offside flag was up in opposition to team-mate Cyriel Dessers.
James Tavernier added the fourth aim from the penalty spot
The Mild Blues continued to pound the County aim with pictures, though Brown dipped an effort from distance simply over Butland’s bar.
Referee Steven McLean pointed to the spot following Lopata’s problem on Dessers at a nook and Tavernier despatched Amissah the mistaken means with a well-taken penalty.
Fernandes then took over from Nsiala to make his debut, finishing a optimistic day for the Ibrox membership.
